UK Approves First Mini Nuclear Power Station in Wales for 3 Million Homes

Britain’s First Mini Nuclear Power Station Approved for North Wales

The UK government has approved Britain’s first mini nuclear power station at Wylfa, North Wales, with three small modular reactors set to power up to 3 million homes from the mid-2030s.

Key Takeaways

Three Rolls-Royce SMRs to be built at Wylfa, Anglesey
Each reactor powers 1 million homes for 60+ years
£2.5 billion government funding allocated
Project to create 3,000 local construction jobs
Power generation expected from mid-2030s

Designed and manufactured by Rolls-Royce, the small modular reactors (SMRs) represent a significant shift in UK nuclear strategy. Each unit will generate enough electricity for approximately one million households, with the entire facility covering an area roughly equivalent to two football pitches.

Artist's impression of the small modular reactor facility — Illustration of a small modular nuclear reactor (SMR). These smaller nuclear reactors that have a power capacity of up to 300 MW(e) per unit, which is about one-third of the generating capacity of traditional nuclear power reactors

What Makes SMRs Different?

Small modular reactors are factory-built nuclear units with a maximum capacity of 300 megawatts each – about one-third the size of traditional nuclear reactors. Their modular design allows for faster construction and potentially lower costs compared to conventional plants like Hinkley Point C.

Simon Bowen, chair of Great British Energy-Nuclear, described the announcement as a “historic moment for the UK.” He stated: “Wylfa has a proud history of nuclear excellence, and we’re excited to build on that foundation to deliver jobs, training, and low-carbon energy for generations to come.”

The old Wylfa nuclear power station site — The government has announced that three small modular reactors (SMRs) will be located in Wylfa, on the coast of Anglesey, Wales. Wylfa is the site of an old nuclear power station that closed down in 2015 (pictured)

Controversy and Criticism

Despite government enthusiasm, the project faces significant criticism. Ed Lyman, director of nuclear power safety at the Union of Concerned Scientists, called the “hype surrounding SMRs way overblown.” He argued they are “not more economical than large reactors,” “not generally safer or more secure,” and won’t “reduce the problem of what to do with radioactive waste.”

Additional concerns include:

Potential high costs due to limited economy of scale
Nuclear waste management challenges
Vulnerability to extreme weather events
Limited operational experience worldwide

The development has also sparked diplomatic tension, with US Ambassador Warren Stephens expressing “extreme disappointment” that American firm Westinghouse wasn’t selected for a larger reactor project at the site.

Construction at Hinkley Point C nuclear plant — It’s hoped SMRs will be quicker to build than more traditional plants such as Hinkley Point C, a nuclear power station under construction in Somerset. Pictured, workers stand near a 245-tonne domed roof being place on the second reactor building at Hinkley Point C, July 17, 2025

Global SMR Development

Internationally, SMR projects are advancing in China and Russia, while in the United States, TerraPower has applied for permits to build a 345-megawatt unit. Technology giant Google is backing seven SMRs from Kairos Power to energy its data centers, highlighting the growing corporate interest in small-scale nuclear energy.

The Wylfa project marks a crucial test for SMR technology’s viability as the UK seeks to achieve energy security and net-zero targets while revitalizing its nuclear industry.